Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1887-01-19

Subject Of Discussion In the Presbyterian
Church Last Night.
On the subject for discussion in the
Presbyterian Church last night-"Con-
Tossing Christ the pastor said:
IF a man have SO little love for Christ
as not 10 want 10 make d public comics
sion of him, he may well doubt If he has
enough religion to save him. If man
hayo no enthusiasm and fervor at the
commencement of his career as a chris
tian, we may well ask, when will he have
this enthusiasm Thos. Attempts says,
1T is thought foundation of comfort,
and even of boast, II man at the close of
this mortal state is able 10 retain some
degree of his first ardor." In most things
there is decline in our enthusiasm, as
we advance in years. This is true, too
often. in religion. If then, there be not
enough interest in religion to bring man
willingly to make acknowledgment of
his divine Lord, we feel that his religion
will decline utterly in short time. A
public profession of religion is required
in all churches. and we feel that the re-
ligion that will not bring man gladly TO
acknowledge Christ as his Saviour, will
not carry him through the temptations
and trials of life, in such a manner as TO
make him credit to the church with
which he would connect himself 1t is a
step that is TO be taken in all seriousness,
and with the understanding that IL is a
life long service on which we enter.
1--WE have several examples in the
scriptures of the power of Christ and his
religion in transforming the life. When
Zaccheus saw Christ and heard his grac-
ious words, he acknowledged publicly
the effect they had upon him. When
Paul was converted he made public &C
acknowledgement Of it, for the record is,
And straightway he preached Christ in
the synagogucs, that he is the Son of
God. I" When the Holy Ghost came upon
Cornelius and those that were with him,
and convinced them that whatsoever be-
licveth on Jesus should receive remission
of sins, they professed their belief in be-
ing baptized. Many notable examples
are found in the scriptures and ecclesias-
teal history of the acknowledgement of
Christ after conversion.
THE stand which others have taken in
confcssing Christ has led many to follow
their example, and for that reason, too,
christians ought to make public profess
sion of their faith in Christ. Dr. Mac
lean, president of Princeton College,
thought that revival OF great power oc-
CURED in the college, from the stand two
of the students took in uniting with the
church.
Christ requires confession, for he says,
"Whosoever shall confess me before men,
him shall the Son of man also confess be-
fore the angels of God" This is no more
than a new master ought to require. This
is nothing less than a new disciple ought
10 be willing to give The student who
is fond of his teacher will not only speak
of him with respect and enthusiasm, but
he will show his appreciation OF him in
his studies. As learners in the school of
Christ, we ought to show who is our
teacher.
I'm many things we let people around
know where we stand. 1t is not often
that men are in doubt about the politics
of others. If they belong to the bcnevo
lent societies, the Masons, the Odd Eel
flows, or others, it is usually known
They. arc expected to take a stand for
these. They become members of these
by certain promises, which they are ex-
pected faithfully to keep Are men to
come into this divine institution, the
church, without a profession of their
faith, when the institutions of the world
require these promises Are thesvows TO
Christ and His church to be regarded as
Jess binding than those to these institu
tionS?
when, then, the church asks a man in
all sincerity to make public confession
of Christ, she expects it to be done with
seriousness, with earnestness, with the
purpose to keep the vows thus taken until
the close of life